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Hoorn Overview

Hoorn is a small city about 40 kilometers North of Amsterdam on the coast of the Markermeer, part of the IJsselmeer. There are about 70.000 inhabitants and the history dates back to the year 716. Nowadays most of the people that live in Hoorn, work in the Amsterdam area.

Hoorn has a rich history, mainly because of being an important city and harbour for the VOC (Dutch East India Company). Traces of this history are still abundant throughout the city center and harbour.

Hoorn's features include the square in the center (de Roode Steen), the many warehouses and buildings that were used by the VOC, the harbour and its watchtower and much more. Three museums are "the Museum van de 20e eeuw" (Museum of the 20th century), the "Westfries museum" (a museum dedicated to the history of Hoorn and the region of "Westfriesland", the second oldest museum of The Netherlands) and the "Affichemuseum" (Poster Museum) near the "Westfries museum". Hoorn is also the start of the historical railway between Hoorn and Medemblik.

Every week on saturday there is a market and every year in August there is the second largest fair in the Netherlands which is concluded on the first monday of August with a big street market called "Lappendag". Shops will sell clothing and objects with huge discounts. The day will be concluded with parties throughout the city center. Drinking (alcohol) is very important for the locals then. In the evening there will be a firework show near theatre Het Park.

Hoorn is easily accesible by train, car and bus.

The symbol of Hoorn is a red unicorn with golden manes and horn. This unicorn can be seen throughout the city. This symbol is actually part of the coat of arms of Hoorn, but the shield is now less known then the supporter. The supporter is also part of many logos of the municipality and many local companies.